Congo Square Theatre ensemble seeks to oust board chair

The ensemble at the Congo Square Theatre has unanimously decided to refuse to participate in any theater programming for the 2025 season until the head of the theater's board has been removed.

Dawn Frances Reese, the current board chair, couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Charles Montorio-Archer, who has served as interim executive director of the Black theater company since October, told the Sun-Times Thursday: "We have a respect for the ensemble's professional pivot ... if they're deciding to not be a part of Congo Square Theatre Company, we respect their decision."

Asked if he'd seek to have a different ensemble, Montorio-Archer said he only found out on Wednesday about the ensemble's intention to not participate in programming until Reese was removed and that there hadn't been "any full decision" about what next steps will be taken.

He said the board supports Reese.

"The board fully supports its leadership and remains committed to working with all stakeholders to continue our work, which we find to be meaningful and transformative for the community that we serve," Montorio-Archer said.

No date has been set for the board to meet with the ensemble, Montorio-Archer said.

Ensemble members, in a statement, said they have requested a meeting with the entire board acting as a neutral mediator to find a way forward, "but to no avail."

"It is our hope that we can find a resolution and will continue to advocate for a productive and collaborative work environment so we can get back to the business of producing work that reflects the complexities of Black culture," read the statement, which offered no specifics on why they wanted to oust Reese.

Congo has seen several departures this year, including the exit of Charlique C. Rolle as executive director at the end of February.

Ericka Ratcliff stepped down from her role as artistic director in October, though she is still a member of the ensemble, which has 19 members, according to Congo Square's website.

The ensemble had chosen two yet-to-be-announced plays for the upcoming season. The theater company does not have a home theater but performs at various theaters around the city.